Free Beware of the Beast by Anne Mather

room with her. She blinked her eyes, looking towards the door, but could see no one. Then the shadow by the window attracted her gaze and she saw Alex standing there, looking broodingly towards the horizon. His back was partially turned to her, but in denim trousers and a cotton sweat shirt he was less aggressively masculine.
    Charlotte levered herself up on her elbows, resenting the way he had walked uninvited into her room, had watched her as she was sleeping. Had she really no privacy here?
    "What do you want?" she demanded, and he turned slowly to look at her.
    "So - you're awake." His appraisal was without feeling. "It's lunchtime. I came to tell you."
    Charlotte sat upright, crossing her legs lotus fashion. "Sophia could have told me," she said shortly. "Or is this little exercise intended to show me that you're not waiving all your rights as a husband?"
    Alex's lips tightened. "Don't fence words with me, Charlotte. You haven't enough weapons." He paused, moving away from the window. "And in future, I do not expect to find you sulking in this room all day."
    "What am I supposed to do ? Twiddle my thumbs on the patio?"
    "You know perfectly well that there are advantages to living here," he told her quietly.
    "What advantages? I must have missed them!"
    Charlotte refused to be quelled even though her heart was hammering at her temerity. But Alex was no feeble adversary.
    "Charlotte, you do realize what you are inviting, don't you?" he suggested dryly, and all desire for provocation left her.
    Swinging her legs to the floor, she got off the bed, smooth ing the creases out of her pants. "If - if you'll leave the room, I'll not be long," she said, holding up her head, and to her relief he moved towards the door.
    "Very well, if you insist." He opened the door. "Wear something green. It suits you."
    Charlotte's jaws clamped together as he closed the door. His meaning had been unmistakable, and she was greatly tempted to throw something at him. But he had gone, and for that she should be thankful.
    By the time Charlotte appeared at the dining table, she had showered and changed into a full-skirted dress of pale blue silk which swirled about her slender legs as she walked. The style was more adult than anything she had worn before, and ignoring Alex's instructions she had piled her hair up on top of her head.
    Alex was already seated at the dining table, studying the contents of the glass he was holding, but he rose at her approach and politely held the chair until she had sat down. When they were both seated he picked up the small bell beside him and rang it.
    Tina served them with fresh melon, and when they were alone again, he said: "This afternoon, I'll show you the island. Then you'll have no excuse for feeling bored."
    Charlotte pressed her lips together, staring down rather uncomfortably at her plate. It wasn't true that she had been bored. Indeed, it had been a great temptation to remain out in the sunshine, but indignation and resentment had driven her indoors. She had no reason to tell him this, of course, even if her conscience did trouble her somewhat. Though why it should when his did not appear to trouble him, she could not comprehend.
    "You do swim, I suppose?" he questioned, when she made no comment, and Charlotte nodded her head. "Good. Bring a swimsuit. There's a cove I know where the water is more than twenty feet deep."
    Charlotte swallowed a mouthful of melon, and then said: "You don't have to entertain me, you know. I - I'm quite capable of entertaining myself."
    Alex regarded her resignedly. "Charlotte, I know I don't have to entertain you. But as I have some free time and you are a stranger here ..." He pushed his half empty plate aside, and she glimpsed the impatience in his eyes. "For God's sake, girl, can't you even stand the sight of me?"
    "Would you expect me to do so ?" Charlotte defended her self. "I didn't create this situation, you did! Why should I-"
    "Your father created this situation," Alex